INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

Kanti Swaroop hails from a Music family, where his grandfather Sri K S M Sundaram garu was a well-known Carnatic Vocalist in the twin cities of Hyderabad.  He started Learning Carnatic Music from his mother Dr. M V Kamala Ramani (a renowned Carnatic music vocalist in Hyderabad) at the age of 10. Had won the First Prize in “Kalasagarm” (a renowned music sabha in the twin cities of Hyderabad) for his rendering of Purandaradasa Kritis, Thyagaraja Kritis and also for playing the Mridangam and won several prizes in Carnatic Vocal at other prestigious sabhas in Hyderabad including SICA, Keerthana Institute of Music, Nada Bharati etc... and also at inter school and inter college levels.  With his interest towards the laya aspect of music, he has also taken some basic training in Mridangam from Sri. Kapa Srinivasa Rao (A Grade Artiste in All India Radio and Student of Sri Yella Venkateswara Rao garu).

Btech in Electronics and computer Engineering from VIT University.    Currently working in L&T Technology and Services as Associate Engineer.    Interest & achievements in music field:                 ·       Disciple and learning under the guidance of Guru Shri Neyveli R. Santhanagopalan  ·         Have won 1st prize in Bharathiyar tamil sangam competition held in Kolkata in the year 2008.  ·       Given many concerts across Chennai as indicated- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, RR Sabha, Chrompet Cultural academy, Ragasudha Hall.  ·       Have given concert in Kasturba Residents Associated Community Hall, Adyar, and Chief Guest: Vidhushi Charumathi Ramachandran.  ·       Have presented Shri Thiyagaraja/ Papanasam Sivan and Dikshitar kritis at Sidhi Vinayagar temple, Radha Nagar during Navarathri-2014 and Shri Ramanchaneyar temple in 2015.  ·       Have participated along with Guru Nevyeli Santhanagopalan in Kalai Malar – Jaya TV.  ·       2 hour concert at Rama Anjanya temple, Tambaram Sanotarium.  ·       Have given group rendition in Narada Gana Sabha (Neyveli Santhagopalan Sir’s student) in 2016 and 2017  ·       Have performed for  Thyagarajana Aradhanai in Mylapore fine arts  ·       1 hour concert at Chrompet Cultural Academy on 5th December, 2016 – Contact person Mr.Nagarajan – Joint Secretary, Number 09444690174  ·       Have participated in Times Thyagaraja Award 2017  ·       Have given concert organized by Sarvani Sangeeta Sabha at Raga Sudha Hall on 26th October, 2017.  ·       Recently performed on 25th June, 2018 at Raga Sudha hall Neyveli Sishakulam organized by Santhagopalan sir – RTP – link  is also given. https://youtu.be/PN330FkBWfw.  ·       Have performed in Madras Kali Bari on 3rd October, 2018  ·       Have performed in Karthik Fine Arts for Navarathri Festival on 11th October, 2018.  ·       Have performed in Indian Fine Arts on 19th November, 2018 for Margazhi season.  ·       Have performed in TTD Chennai on 4th February, 2019.  ·       Have given a chamber concert at Trivandrum (Ajay Namboodthri residence) on 6th July, 2019.  ·       Have performed at Karthik fine arts on 9th July, 2019..

Smt Mythili Krishnan, Veena Artist and a disciple of Guru Kalaimamani Shri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan. Prior to this she was learning from Smt Seetha Balakrishnan, a versatile Veena Player and a disciple of Shri R,Venkataraman, College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram and from Smt.Saraswathi Rajagopalan, A top artist and staff artist of All India Radio, New Delhi. Besides her passion for playing veena she is also teacher of Physics and Chemistry for senior school students.

Vikas Maitreya has initially learnt from Sri Mantha Srinivas, under whom he has finished diploma in Carnatic vocal music. He is presently taking advanced training from Sri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan Sir. He has been performing extensively in Hyderabad music circuit, and Facebook pages alike. He has won various competitions held, held by Karthikeya Gana Sabha, Sharada cultural trust, kalasagaram. Currently he is working in Deloitte consulting talent acquisition. 

 Radha Sridhar is from rom Chennai. Born and brought up in Kolkata, I she started learning Carnatic Vocal Music from her mother and Guru Smt. Kamakshi Balasubramanian, Kolkata. Since 2016 she has been learning Carnatic Vocal from eminent Guru Kalaimamani Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan. She has also  learnt Violin from Smt. Vasantha Kannan, Kolkata.

Smt. Renuka Parameshwar Sharma has been serving the music community for the past two decades with her passion for teaching Carnatic music.    Her passion is backed by Masters in Indian Music and a Diploma in Music Practice – Creating music through technology (Access to Music, Bristol UK). She also spent her first few years as an RJ in WorldSpace Radio, Chennai.  Renuka comes with more than two decades of experience with all aspects related to music. She is witness to how technology has influenced music. She embraces this with confidence and respect as she believes that as technology becomes ever more pervasive and sophisticated, music will continue to evolve and become even more creative.    She has been the Co-founder and MD of 'REHA Music & Dance Institute', based in Dubai and has groomed hundreds of music lovers, specially children under her tutelage. With every rendition or performance, she proves her worth with the standing ovation and praise she receives from the crowd.

Smt Vasumathi Vasudevan, Carnatic Artist, teacher and a disciple of Guru Kalaimamani Shri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan.Is the daughter of Late Kalaimamani Salem.D. Chellam Iyengar. Started learning music from her father from the age of 5.  Although Vasumathi Vasudevan is a physics graduate, her passion is carnatic music. Vasumathi Vasudevan has a MA Music degree from Madras University along with a teacher's training in Carnatic music from Music Academy Chennai. She has focussed completely on Carnatic music which involved participating in devotional & youth programs in All India Radio.  Currently she continues to teach students of all ages while continuing her tutelage under her Guru Kalaimamani Shri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan. 

Girija Srinivasan is from Chennai. She has  learnt Vocal Music from her mother and Guru R Muthulaxmi, AIR Artiste. Since 2015, Ishe is blessed to be under the tutelage of Kalaimamani Shri Neyveli R Santhanagoplan .  

Vidhyalakshmi is a disciple of Guru kalaimamani Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan 

A Critical Care physician by profession, Dr. Sanjay Subramanian had his initial vocal training in Delhi under Sri SV Ramani and Smt Lakshmi Ramaswamy (disciple of Mysore Vasudevachar). After a brief hiatus during medical school and residency, he was fortunate to come under the training of renowned musician and musicologist, Isai Peroli Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan who has been instrumental in his growth as a concert level musician. In addition, Sanjay has enriched his repertoire by learning compositions from eminent musicians such as Sri PS Narayanaswami.

 A prodigiously talented 15 years old, born in a Music family and has a passion for keyboard from the age of three. Hers is a truly remarkable talent : not just an impressive playing keyboard , she is gifted  to notate any songs which she listens. Performing in  Guruvayoor was her first programme.  Following which She gave hundreds of public performances throughout United Arab Emirates both solo and as supporting artist.  She received numerous awards and accolade.

Presently under the tutelage of renowned Veena and Keyboard artist from Los Angeles Sri.N Muralikrishnan (NMK). By god's grace and elders blessing wish she is able to pursue and continue with her inborn talent and passion in the future.

Bhavapriya Muralikrishnan is a 2nd grade student Fom  Thrissur, Kerala Learning carnatic music from Sri. Neyveli Santhanagopalan  

Srihari Vittal was born into the family of musicians. He is a son and disciple of violin maestro Sri. Vittal Ramamurthy. He started his initial training in Carnatic music under his grandmother Smt. Krishnaveni and his mother Smt. Chandrika. He is learning vocal music from vidwan Sri. S P Ramh. Currently, he is pursuing his bachelors in Hotel Management at SRM Chennai.

Kruthi Bhat*, is an world renowned Indian Classical Singer with numerous awards and titles to her credit. She was under the training of her mother, Vidushi Rajarajeshwary Bhat and receives guidance with several other prominent gurus in India. Kruthi is the youngest recipient of the title “Kala Rathna”,  the title “Isai Chudar”, and is the title winner of the reality show, Carnatic Music Idol by Maximum Media Jaya TV, to name a few of her accolades. She has also done many concerts for noble causes such as a concert for Carries Heart, a school for special needed children and a concert for Sandeepani Trust, to bring medical facility to rural India.

Sahana is a promising young Carnatic classical musician who has been creating waves over the last few years. She had her initial training in Bangalore under Smt. Malini and Smt. Geetha Murthy and is currently being groomed by Smt. Chaitrra Sriram, senior disciple of Padmashri Bombay Jayashri Ramnath. She has been winning accolades and awards from leading institutions, and has also been a regular concert performer. She is blessed with a supple voice that allows her to explore a wide range of musical forms, and endears her to her listeners. Equally proficient in academics, Sahana is pursuing her Undergraduate Studies in Economics at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom

This is Devika Rajan from Dallas, USA.  Have been learning Carnatic vocal, veena & violin from a very young age.  Her 1st Guru and Mother was Smt. V Ranganayaki, Violinist – a Gold Medalist from Music Academy.  Later she learnt music from various Gurus, the latest being Sri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan.  She is a graded Artist of All India Radio.  Currently into teaching Carnatic Vocal, Veena & Violin at home and online.  She has been performing in various Academies / Sabhas both in US & India.  Won several prizes, the most recent being Shraavya Season 2 (two prizes) in 2021 conducted by Smt. Sudha Raghunathan. 

Aditi Subramanian has been learning Carnatic vocal from a young age. She started learning from her grandmother Smt Sivagama Sundari and is currently training under Smt Chaitrra Sairam. She also learns veenai under Smt. Gayatri Ajay. Aditi has performed in various venues across the UK and during the Margazhi season in Chennai. Aditi is currently working as a Sustainability Consultant in London and hopes to continue pursuing music alongside her work. 

Radhika Suriyanarayanan, born in a family with a namasankeertana tradition, is an aspiring carnatic music student based in Pondicherry. She is a disciple of vidwan Shri Neyveli Santanagopalan sir and Smt Prabha Rao, Mumbai. Currently progressing in manodharma and swara gnyanam, she desires to achieve greater heights in music with the blessings and guidance of her teachers. 

Sahas Ramesh has been learning Carnatic violin for 7 years under the guidance of Vittal Ramamurthy sir. Sahas is currently a freshman majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

At the of 3 is when Dr.Rekha Raju's mother Jayalakshmi Raghavan decided to put her into the careful hands of Dance Guru Padmini Ramachandran to guide her in Bharatanatyam. The youngest of all in the whole class Rekha was involved in all the shows in just 6 months of her admission. She had a performance every week which marked her excellence in dance. Rekha mastered academics and dance together, taking a masters degree in business administration and a masters degree in performing arts simultaneously. A chartered accountant in the making Rekha, took up classical dancing as her full time career, Rekha founded her own dance institution Nrithya Dhama Temple of Fine Arts with a motive of training tridents of all cadre wether poor or rich from rural or from urban all students getting the knowledge of dance under the same roof. Though Bharatanatyam was the foundation of her dance career, she had started learning Mohiniattam too and it's Prof. A . Janardhanan who moulded her as a fine Mohiniattam danseuse and today Rekha is an exponent of Mohiniattam which many of the art critics have agreed to. In Nrithya Dhama students get trained in Bharatanatyam,Mohiniattam, Carnatic vocals, Mridangam etc.more than 350 students have been trained in dance alone. She has students from different universities from the U.S and U.K who have come to India for a exchange programme and have been trained by Dr. Rekha. Rekha holds classes for house wives and working women and almost 20 of them did their maiden performance in December 2016 With the completion of 10 years of establishment of Nrithya Dhama, 20 of Rekha's students have completed their arangetram, more than 150 have completed their Chelengai ( gejje) Pooja. 10 of them have been performing as solo artistes and performing all over India, they even have been appointed as faculties in Nrithya Dhama and other prestigious institutions. Rekha has involved herself with various NGO's like Cristel House, St. Theresa home for children, Freedom Foundation all of these which help in the holistic development of children suffering from various disorders and poverty. Rekha encourages all art forms and as an responsible youngster she imparts knowledge of different arts forms to students. In this context she organises a cultural event every month at her dance studio which acts as an eye- opener into the world of arts.

Started training in Bharatanatyam under the able guidance of Guru Smt. Ambika Buch, Retd. Lecturer, Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts and performed Arangetram in 1992. • Have performed in various sabhas in the city and have traveled widely in India and abroad with the Kalakshetra troupe where I have done a number of lead roles in their dance drama productions (Sita in Ramayanam, Andal in Andal Charitram, Parvathi in Kumara Sambhavam, Akka Mahadevi etc...).  • Have also performed under many prestigious banners in the city. Have performed and traveled widely with the Aradhana School of Dance, directed by Smt. Ambika Buch. • Was part of Cleveland Aradhana Festival, USA, 2019 • Founder - Director of ‘Chathur Lakshana’ Academy of Fine Arts, Chennai, training many aspiring children in the field of Bharatanatyam. • Worked as Part–Time lecturer and centre co-ordinator in Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, under the Off-Campus Degree Programme. • Graded artist in Doordarshan (B Grade) • Served as guest faculty at Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, 2018–19 Music, Nattuvangam And Instruments • Trained in Carnatic music with great vidwans like Bhagawathulu Sri. Seetharama Sharma and Sri S. Rajaram. • Sings and does nattuvangam for her student’s performances. • Also proficient in playing the Jaltarang, a very rare musical instrument. Yoga • Learnt and practiced yoga with Dr. M.Kavitha, BNYS. D.Ac., DMHS, DIAS, from 2006 – 2008. • Practiced with and assisted Sri Sundar Chetlur (Being Peace) from 2008 – 2011 in Hatha Yoga, Integral Style.

A Versatile-  Kuchipudi artist of this generation a Performer,Teacher,Choreographer,and Yoga Practitioner.Mastered the art for last 3 decades initial training was at Kuchipudi Art Academy Chennai and later on Guru- Smt :Manju Barggavee..  Presently doing research and learning old traditional kuchipudi style under able guidance Professor P.Ramadevi.   .A CCRT Scholarship holder at age of 15yrs, Graded Doordarshan artist,Empanelled SPICMACY  and Routes 2 Roots Artist from last 2yrs,Empanelled artist of Ministry of culture for abroad festivals Duo/Group.2016.Rekha has won many awards and performed in major festivals like Khajarahoo ,Uday shankar festival,Hampi festival,Mysore Dasara festival Lasya Utsav Hongkong, Soorya Festival ...Rekha has won first Prize State level Competitions held by Sangeetha Nataka academy and won 2nd prize South central zone level..  also choreographed and performed for one of the Telugu Classic Album TENEY which got released on Jan 14th 2017.  

Swastika, an odissi dance exponent, began tapping her feet from the age of two under her mother's guidance. It is known that a Mother is the best teacher, and Swastika was lucky enough to get her mother- Smt Bipasa Ghosh as her first guru. She began her dancing by learning Kathak but no sooner did her mother realise that her postures, footwork and keenness is inclined to Odissi from the time she got the opportunity to witness Guru Sujata Mohapatra ji live in a live odissi performance.   At the age of seven she was first introduced to odissi under the tutelage of Smt. Guru Poushali Mukherjee in kolkata. Simultaneously, she was being trained in Bharatnatyam from Smt. Bipasa Ghosh who is a pass out from Rabindrabharati University in Kathak and Bharatnatyam. After a rigorous training in both the classical dance styles for next eight years, she decided to join Saveri Dance School and seek training from Guru Smt. Nandini Ghosal as she was enticed with the subtleties, grace and versatile expressions of Nandini ji.    Thereafter, Swastika got the opportunity to delve into the depth of odissi style, culture and intricacies of the form as fabricated by Guruji- Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra under the mentorship of Guru Nandini Ghoshal. The artist was also fortunate to participate in a workshop conducted by Guru Madhavi Mudgal ji from New Delhi whom she considers as the Goddess of Odissi Dance in 2017.   She has participated in Uday Shankar Festival (2012), Rajgir Festival (2012), Nishagandhi Festival (2012), Uttarpara Sangeet Chakra Dance Festival (2012) and Birmingham festival(2020), to name a few.  She was also conferred with the first prize (State Level) in Yuva Utsab in the year 2014. Apart from this, she has been successful in winning many local level and district level prizes.

A national award winning dancer – scholar, specialising in the field of Indian Classical Dance with premium solo concerts across several nations, Anwesa received accolades for her unique interpretations of the Sattriya Dance keeping intact the core philosophy of the form and its ritualistic practice. She completed her Doctoral Study from Delhi University and served as a Visiting Artist in Residence at IIT Guwahati. A recipient of CWIT Fellowship, British Council, to pursue research in Queen’s University Belfast she has several scholarly publications to her credit and has also conducted research on various aspects of intangible cultural heritage of Assam with prestigious fellowships from Sangeet Natak Akademi and Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. Acclaimed as a “star ambassador to represent her art form on a global stage” (Narthaki) she has been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar for the year 2013-14 for her contributions. She has performed extensively across India and also abroad (Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, England, Japan, Northern Ireland, Canada, USA, Sri Lanka, France, New Zealand etc.) appearing at many prestigious dance festivals. She is the Artistic Director of Kalpa and Pragjyoti International Dance Festival and contributed towards promotion of international understanding and social harmony through promotion of arts. She also worked on collaborative research and archival recordings with University of Otago and INTACH documenting work in the area of performance ethnography and community performances. The New York Times, India West, The Hindu and other national and international media commented her work as “impressive”, “thrilling” and “superb” to mention a few.

Bharatanatyam and Indian Folk dance performer, choreographer and educator, Environment and Special educator, Trekker & Mountaineer Special interest – Sustainable association and influence of environment in Indian classical and folk dance.

Professional Indian folk dance artist for more than a decade. o Choreographer, performer of more than 30 different folk dances of India. To name a few – Shetkari, Lavani, Koli, Gondhal-Jogwa, (Maharshtra), Bihu (Assam), Cheraw Bamboo (Mizoram), Dandiya (Gujrath), Giddha (Punjab), Kunbi (Goa), karakattam (Tamil Nadu), Kalbelia, (Rajasthan), Hariyanvi ghoomer (Hariyana). o Represented Maharashtra’s Folk dance – ‘Lavni’ at “52nd Parliamentary commission: September 2007” at Delhi o Was assistant choreographer (opening ceremony) in Common wealth Youth games held in Pune in September 2008 o Choreographed and performed Bamboo dance from Nagaland in Mumbai’s kala ghoda festival in the year 2019 o Acted as judge in the year 2017 and 2019 for Myriad art’s national level ‘Vaarsa’ on folk dance competition. o Performed Bihu and Ghomar for FCB in hotel ‘The Taj palace’ in the year 2019

Nivedha Harish is a versatile 18 year old, currently in her 1st year pursuing a B.Sc. in Electronic Media at MoP Vaishnav College, Chennai, and simultaneously a B.Sc (Data Science) from IIT Madras in online mode. She has been learning her passion, Bharatanatyam for the last 14 years under the tutelage of Kalaimamani Smt. Roja Kannan. She is a proud recipient of the CCRT scholarship for Bharatanatyam, awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. She was the 2nd runner up in Season 2 of Natyaratna, an all-India level Bharatanatyam reality show, conducted by Sankara TV in December 2018. She recently won 1st prize in the seniors category of Legend Sri KN Dhandayudapani compositions conducted by Sri Bharatam Academy of Fine Arts in September 2021, as well as 1st prize in IIT Saarang's dance competition in January 2018 to name a few. She has performed for SunLife TV’s Kalaicholai, many sabhas during the Margazhi season during December - January, and has been regularly performing in Bharatha Natyalaya's group productions.  She has a keen interest in Carnatic music, her guru being Smt. Radha Parthasarathy. She was one of the lead singers in her school's bhajan team, Chettinad Saptharangini, which won 2nd place in the finals of Bhajan Samrat - Season 3 in 2019, conducted by Sankara TV. She is also part of Gnana Nama Vittal’s Namasankeerthanam team, which performed Andal Kalyanam, Valli Kalyanam, and Meenakshi Kalyanam recently. She has also anchored a few programs for Sankara TV, Kavasam Konnect etc. She has learnt Veena from the renowned artiste and guru, Dr. R.S. Jayalakshmi, which she would like to pursue later

Pranathi Ramadorai, a senior disciple of Kalaimamani Guru Smt Rhadha, is a dynamic and seasoned Bharathanatyam artiste with an intense passion for the art. Having been initiated into the art by her Guru at the tender age of 5, she has received the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nadaga Manram Scholarship for young artists from the Tamil Nadu Government, and is also a recipient of the Bharat Kalachar Scholarship for the years 2006-2012. She was conferred the ‘Natya Chemmal Award’ from the Trinity Arts Festival of India in 2019, and has given nearly 35 solo performances at various esteemed stages and Sabhas across India and America.   Her noteworthy performances include those for:   The Music Academy’s HCL Concert Series  The Music Academy’s Spirit of Youth Series   Narada Gana Sabha (Main Hall)  Natyarangam  Natyanjali’s Nartaka and Natya Utsav  Krishna Gana Sabha  Aanmajothi  Pranathi has taken part in a number of dance productions, duo performances with her Guru Smt Rhadha, and Lec-dems with her Guru and Dr. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan. She has also had the privilege of performing at the prestigious Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival in 2008 and 2019. An enthusiastic, graceful and energetic performer, she is keen on carrying forward the Vazhuvoor tradition from her Guru.   In addition, Pranathi has had the opportunity of performing several times at Corporation Schools across Chennai, and sharing her art with young children. She has also had the opportunity to work closely (from June 2019 to Feb 2021) with Shreya Nagarajan Singh  in presenting art in public spaces through Chennai UCCN and Aanmajothi.  Pranathi holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Madras School of Social Work and is currently pursuing her Masters in Bharatanatyam in Madras University.